Cook delighted with Bayliss ‘coup’

Alastair Cook believes England have pulled off a “great coup” by hiring highly experienced Australian Trevor Bayliss to their coaching role ahead of this summer’s Ashes series.

Bayliss was unveiled as Peter Moores’ replacement on Tuesday and will take over from Paul Farbrace, who will drop back down to assistant, in time to face his compatriots in July and August.

As a former Sri Lanka, Kolkata Knight Riders and New South Wales coach, Bayliss has an array of worldwide experience across all three formats, b ut it is the insight he may be able to give into the Australian dressing room that could prove pivotal.

Cook said: “Trevor’s experience in all forms of the game, he’s a successful coach, everywhere he’s gone he’s been successful, his one-day record is very good as well so it will be interesting to hear his ideas on that side.

“It’s obviously for England a great coup to have him in terms of his experience, certainly of Australian players but just of the world game as well.

“I think the guys are looking forward to him turning up, getting to meet him and seeing what he says about things.”

Cook added: “I don’t really know him that well. I played against his Sri Lankan team, but everyone I’ve spoken to about him, I had a beer with (New Zealand captain) Brendon (McCullum) and the New Zealand guys after the Test match and he spoke very highly of him as well.”

For now, Cook’s sights are firmly set on securing another victory over New Zealand after going 1-0 up in the Investec series following a 124-run victory at Lord’s.

It was a thrilling display from England and one sorely needed following the off-field handling of the Moores sacking and the decision to leave Kevin Pietersen in international exile.

Cook added: “It was a fantastic week at Lord’s. It was just a really good week for everyone. As I said at the end of the game, it was a rocky couple of weeks for England off the field. We’re still in limbo until Trevor turns up but the way Paul has taken the side, he has done a fantastic job.

“The challenge for us players is can we back up a great performance, especially the last three days of that Test match, at Headingley and try and win the series?”